Optoelectronic semiconductor component

ABSTRACT

An optoelectronic semiconductor component includes an optoelectronic semiconductor chip having a top area at a top side, a bottom area at an underside, side areas connecting the top area and the bottom area, and epitaxially produced layers; electrical n- and p-side contacts at the bottom area of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip; and an electrically insulating shaped body, wherein the shaped body surrounds the optoelectronic semiconductor chip at its side areas, and the epitaxially produced layers are free from the shaped body.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 15/963,408, filed Apr. 26, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 15/632,544, filed Jun. 26, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 15/288,176, filed Oct. 7, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 14/931,246, filed Nov. 3, 2015, which is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 14/223,173, filed Mar. 24, 2014, which is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 13/320,304, filed Jan. 23, 2012, which is a § 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2010/060434, with an international filing date of Jul. 19, 2010, which is based on German Patent Application No. 10 2009 036 621.0, filed Aug. 7, 2009.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to methods of producing optoelectronic semiconductor components and optoelectronic semiconductor components made by the methods.

BACKGROUND

WO 2009/075753 A2 and WO 02/084749 each describe an optoelectronic semiconductor component. However, it could be helpful to provide a simplified production method of producing optoelectronic semiconductor components and components produced thereby.

SUMMARY

We provide a method of producing an optoelectronic semiconductor component including providing a carrier, arranging at least one optoelectronic semiconductor chip at a top side of the carrier, shaping a shaped body around the at least one optoelectronic semiconductor chip, wherein the shaped body covers all side areas of the at least one optoelectronic semiconductor chip, and wherein a surface facing away from the carrier at the top side and/or a surface facing the carrier at an underside of the at least one semiconductor chip remains substantially free of the shaped body or is exposed, and removing the carrier.

We also provide an optoelectronic semiconductor component including an optoelectronic semiconductor chip having side areas covered by a shaped body, at least one plated-through hole including an electrically conductive material, and an electrically conductive connection electrically conductively connected to the semiconductor chip and the plated-through hole, wherein the plated-through hole is laterally spaced apart from the semiconductor chip, the plated-through hole completely penetrates through the shaped body, the plated-through hole extends from a top side of the shaped body to an underside of the shaped body, and the electrically conductive connection extends at the top side of the shaped body.

We further provide an optoelectronic semiconductor component including an optoelectronic semiconductor chip having side areas covered by a shaped body, and an electrically conductive connection electrically conductively connected to the semiconductor chip and the plated-through hole, wherein the plated-through hole is laterally spaced apart from the semiconductor chip, the plated-through hole completely penetrates through the shaped body, the plated-through hole extends from a top side of the shaped body to an underside of the shaped body, and the shaped body is optically reflective.

We further yet provide an optoelectronic semiconductor component including an optoelectronic semiconductor chip having side areas, a surface at a top side of the semiconductor chip, and a surface at a bottom side of the semiconductor chip; a shaped body having a surface at a top side of the shaped body and a surface at an underside of the shaped body; at least one plated-through hole including an electrically conductive material; and an electrically conductive connection electrically conductively connected to the semiconductor chip and the plated-through hole, wherein the side areas of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip are covered by the shaped body, and the surface at the top side and/or the surface at the bottom side of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip are completely free of the shaped body.

We also further provide an optoelectronic semiconductor component including an optoelectronic semiconductor chip having side areas, a surface at a top side of the semiconductor chip, and a surface at a bottom side of the semiconductor chip; a shaped body having a surface at a top side of the shaped body and a surface at an underside of the shaped body; at least one plated-through hole including an electrically conductive material; and an electrically conductive connection electrically conductively connected to the semiconductor chip and the plated-through hole, wherein the side areas of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip are covered by the shaped body, and the shaped body covers the side areas of the semiconductor chip up to a selected height such that the side areas of the semiconductor chip are free of the shaped body in places or the surface at the top side and the surface at the underside of the shaped body terminates flush with the surface at the top side and the surface at the bottom side of the semiconductor chip, respectively.

We also further provide an optoelectronic semiconductor component including an optoelectronic semiconductor chip having side areas, a surface at a top side of the semiconductor chip, and a surface at a bottom side of the semiconductor chip; and a shaped body having a surface at a top side of the shaped body and a surface at an underside of the shaped body, wherein the side areas of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip are covered by the shaped body, and the surface at the top side and/or the surface at the bottom side of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip are free of the shaped body.

We also further provide an optoelectronic semiconductor component including an optoelectronic semiconductor chip having side areas covered by a shaped body, at least one via including an electrically conductive material, and at least one electrically conductive connection electrically conductively connected to the semiconductor chip and the via, wherein the via is laterally spaced apart from the semiconductor chip, the via includes a contact pin, the contact pin including an electrically conductive material, and the contact pin is laterally completely enclosed by the shaped body.

We also further provide an optoelectronic semiconductor component including an optoelectronic semiconductor chip having side areas covered by a shaped body, at least one plated-through hole including an electrically conductive material, and an electrically conductive connection electrically conductively connected to the semiconductor chip and the plated-through hole, wherein the plated-through hole is laterally spaced apart from the semiconductor chip, and the electrically conductive connection extends at a top side of the shaped body beneath an outer area of the shaped body.

We also further provide an optoelectronic semiconductor component including an optoelectronic semiconductor chip having side areas covered by a shaped body, at least one plated-through hole including an electrically conductive material, an electrically conductive connection electrically conductively connected to the semiconductor chip and the plated-through hole, and a phosphor layer containing or consisting of a phosphor that absorbs electromagnetic radiation generated by the semiconductor chip during operation and re-emits electromagnetic radiation in a different wavelength range from the optoelectronic semiconductor chip, wherein the plated-through hole is laterally spaced apart from the semiconductor chip, the plated-through hole completely penetrates through the shaped body, the plated-through hole extends from a top side of the shaped body to an underside of the shaped body, the electrically conductive connection extends at the top side of the shaped body, and the phosphor layer covers the optoelectronic semiconductor chip and the shaped body.

We also further provide an optoelectronic semiconductor component including an optoelectronic semiconductor chip having a top area at a top side, a bottom area at an underside and side areas connecting the top area and the bottom area, electrical contact locations at the top area or at the bottom area of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip, and an electrically insulating shaped body wherein the optoelectronic semiconductor chip is a flip-chip having the electrical contact locations only at one side, either the underside or the top side, the shaped body surrounds the optoelectronic semiconductor chip at its side areas, and the shaped body is free of a via that electrically connects the optoelectronic semiconductor chip.

We also further provide a method of producing an optoelectronic semiconductor component including providing a carrier, arranging at least one optoelectronic semiconductor chip at a top side of the carrier, applying a phosphor layer at the at least one semiconductor chip, forming a shaped body around the at least one optoelectronic semiconductor chip, wherein the shaped body surrounds all side areas of the at least one optoelectronic semiconductor chip, and removing the carrier, wherein the phosphor layer is applied before forming the shaped body.

We also further provide an optoelectronic semiconductor component including an optoelectronic semiconductor chip having a top area at a top side, a bottom area at an underside, side areas connecting the top and bottom areas, and epitaxially produced layers, electrical n- and p-side contacts at the bottom area of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip, and a shaped body which is electrically insulating, wherein the shaped body surrounds the optoelectronic semiconductor chip at its side areas, and the epitaxially produced layers are free from the shaped body.

We also further provide an optoelectronic semiconductor component including an optoelectronic semiconductor chip having a top area at a top side, a bottom area at an underside, side areas connecting the top area and the bottom area, and epitaxially produced layers, electrical n- and p-side contacts at the bottom area of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip, and an electrically insulating shaped body, wherein the shaped body surrounds the optoelectronic semiconductor chip at its side areas, and the epitaxially produced layers are free from the shaped body.

We also further provide a method of producing an optoelectronic semiconductor component including providing a carrier, arranging at least one optoelectronic semiconductor chip at a top side of the carrier, wherein the semiconductor chip includes semiconductor layers epitaxially deposited on a substrate, forming a shaped body around the at least one optoelectronic semiconductor chip, wherein the shaped body surrounds all side areas of the at least one optoelectronic semiconductor chip and the epitaxially produced layers are free of the shaped body, and removing the carrier.

We also further provide an optoelectronic semiconductor component including at least two optoelectronic semiconductor chips each having side areas, and an electrically insulating shaped body, wherein the shaped body surrounds all side areas of the at least two optoelectronic semiconductor chips, and the at least two optoelectronic semiconductor chips are connected to one another by the shaped body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional schematic illustration of an exemplary optoelectronic semiconductor component during a step of an exemplary method of producing the same.

FIG. 2 is a sectional schematic illustration of the exemplary optoelectronic semiconductor component depicted in FIG. 1 during a further step of the exemplary method.

FIG. 3 is a sectional schematic illustration of the exemplary optoelectronic semiconductor component depicted in FIG. 2 during a further step of the exemplary method.

FIG. 4 is a sectional schematic illustration of an exemplary optoelectronic semiconductor component.

FIG. 5 is a sectional schematic illustration of a further exemplary optoelectronic semiconductor component.

FIG. 6 is a sectional schematic illustration of an exemplary optoelectronic semiconductor component during a further step of an exemplary method of producing the same.

FIG. 7 is a sectional schematic illustration of an exemplary optoelectronic semiconductor component during another step of an exemplary method of producing the same.

FIG. 8 is a schematic top perspective view of an exemplary optoelectronic semiconductor component.

FIG. 9 is a schematic bottom perspective view of the exemplary optoelectronic semiconductor component depicted in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of another exemplary optoelectronic semiconductor component.

FIG. 11 is a sectional illustration of another exemplary optoelectronic semiconductor component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

We provide a method of producing an optoelectronic semiconductor component. The optoelectronic semiconductor component is, for example, a light emitting diode that emits electromagnetic radiation. Alternatively, the optoelectronic semiconductor component can also be a photodiode provided for detecting electromagnetic radiation.

A carrier may first be provided. The carrier is a temporary carrier removed again in a final method step. The carrier can be, for example, a foil, a circuit board or generally a plate which is formed with a plastics material, a metal, a ceramic material or a semiconductor material.

At least one optoelectronic semiconductor chip may be arranged on the carrier at a top side of the carrier. The optoelectronic semiconductor chip is, for example, a light emitting diode chip or a photo diode chip. Furthermore, the optoelectronic semiconductor chip can be a laser diode chip. The at least one optoelectronic semiconductor chip is preferably fixed on the carrier to produce a mechanical connection between the optoelectronic semiconductor chip and the carrier, which later can be released nondestructively for the optoelectronic semiconductor chip. In other words, a sacrificial layer is arranged between the semiconductor chip and the carrier. The optoelectronic semiconductor chip can be fixed on the carrier by an adhesive, for example.

Preferably, a multiplicity of optoelectronic semiconductor chips are fixed on the carrier. The arrangement composed of the carrier and the multiplicity of optoelectronic semiconductor chips is then a so-called “artificial” wafer wherein a multiplicity of optoelectronic semiconductor chips preferably of the same type are arranged on a common carrier.

A shaped body may be shaped around the at least one optoelectronic semiconductor chip, preferably the multiplicity of optoelectronic semiconductor chips, wherein the shaped body covers all side areas of the at least one optoelectronic semiconductor chip. In other words, the at least one optoelectronic semiconductor chip is enveloped by the shaped body. The shaping-around or enveloping process can be effected, for example, by injection molding, casting, printing, lamination of a foil or the like. The shaped body is formed from a mechanically stabilizing material such as, for example, a plastic, a glass having a low melting point or a glass ceramic having a low melting point. The shaped body can, for example, contain epoxy resin, silicone, epoxy-silicon hybrid material, glass or glass ceramic or consist of one of these materials.

The shaped body is applied on the carrier such that it covers that surface of the carrier facing the at least one optoelectronic semiconductor chip, and is in direct contact with the surface. Furthermore, the shaped body is in direct contact at least in places with the side areas running, for example, transversely or perpendicularly with respect to the surface of the carrier. In this example, it is possible for all side areas of the at least one semiconductor chip to be completely covered by the shaped body. However, it is also possible for the semiconductor chips to be covered by the shaped body only up to a specific height at the side areas and for parts of the at least one semiconductor chip to project from the shaped body such that the side areas of the at least one optoelectronic semiconductor chip are free of the shaped body in places. Furthermore, it is also possible for the shaped body to completely cover the semiconductor chips at their exposed areas. That is to say, a surface of the at least one optoelectronic semiconductor chip facing away from the carrier can also be covered by the shaped body.

The carrier may be removed. That is to say, after the process of shaping around the at least one optoelectronic semiconductor chip, the carrier is removed from the composite assembly composed of shaped body and optoelectronic semiconductor chip. Removal can be effected, for example, by heating or thinning the carrier. Heating can be effected by a laser beam, for example. Thinning can be effected by grinding back the carrier, for example. Furthermore, it is possible for removal to be effected by chemical stripping or stripping the carrier or the adhesion layer present, if appropriate, on the carrier. After the carrier has been removed, the underside of the at least one optoelectronic semiconductor chip, the underside originally facing the carrier, is freely accessible. The underside can also be the emission side of the semiconductor chip through which radiation emerges from the semiconductor chip during the operation thereof. In other words, the semiconductor chip is then applied “face-down” onto the carrier. All side areas of the at least one optoelectronic semiconductor chip are covered by the shaped body at least in places. That is to say, after the removal of the carrier, the shaped body constitutes a mechanically stabilizing body surrounding the at least one optoelectronic semiconductor chip at its side areas and connects, if present, a multiplicity of optoelectronic semiconductor chips to one another.

The method of producing an optoelectronic semiconductor component comprises:

providing a carrier;

arranging at least one optoelectronic semiconductor chip at a top side of the carrier;

shaping a shaped body around the at least one optoelectronic semiconductor chip wherein the shaped body covers all side areas of the at least one optoelectronic semiconductor chip; and

removing the carrier.

In this example, the method steps described are preferably carried out in the order specified.

A multiplicity of optoelectronic semiconductor chips may be arranged at the top side of the carrier, wherein each of the semiconductor chips is provided during operation to generate electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range having a peak wavelength assigned to the semiconductor chip. That is to say, each of the semiconductor chips is suitable for generating electromagnetic radiation. In this example, the semiconductor chip generates electromagnetic radiation in a specific wavelength range during operation. The electromagnetic radiation generated has a maximum in the wavelength range at a specific wavelength, the peak wavelength. In other words, the peak wavelength is the dominant wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation generated by the semiconductor chip during operation.

In this example, the peak wavelength of each of the semiconductor chips deviates from an average value of the peak wavelengths of all the optoelectronic semiconductor chip by at most +/−2%. That is to say, the optoelectronic semiconductor chips are optoelectronic semiconductor chips that emit electromagnetic radiation at the same or similar wavelengths. Preferably, the peak wavelength of each of the semiconductor chips deviates from an average value of the peak wavelengths of all the optoelectronic semiconductor chips at most by +/−1%, particularly preferably by at most +/−0.5%.

In other words, the optoelectronic semiconductor chips arranged on the carrier are presorted with regard to their emission wavelength. Those optoelectronic semiconductor chips scarcely differing from one another or not differing from one another at all in terms of their peak wavelength are arranged jointly on the carrier.

By way of example, the optoelectronic semiconductor chips are sorted with regard to their peak wavelength after their production (so-called “binning”). Those optoelectronic semiconductor chips classified into a common group during this sorting are arranged on the carrier.

A common phosphor layer may be disposed downstream of the optoelectronic semiconductor chips at their top side or their underside before or after the shaping-around process. In this example, “common phosphor layer” means that a phosphor layer having the same or similar properties is disposed downstream of all the optoelectronic semiconductor chips. That is to say, the phosphor layer of all the optoelectronic semiconductor chips consists, for example, of the same material and has the same thickness.

The phosphor layer contains or consists of a phosphor provided absorb the electromagnetic radiation generated by the semiconductor chips during operation and re-emits electromagnetic radiation in a different wavelength range than the optoelectronic semiconductor chips. By way of example, the optoelectronic semiconductor chips generate blue light during operation and yellow light is re-emitted by the phosphor of the phosphor layer, the yellow light mixing with the blue light to form white light. The phosphor layer can be applied, for example, in the form of phosphor particles introduced in a matrix material such as, for example, silicone or ceramic. Furthermore, the phosphor layer can be applied as a ceramic lamina containing the phosphor or consists of a ceramic phosphor to that surface of the semiconductor chips facing away from the carrier. In this example, it is possible for the phosphor layer to be applied directly to that surface of the optoelectronic semiconductor chips facing away from the carrier.

Particularly preferably, the optoelectronic semiconductor chips, as just described, are similar optoelectronic semiconductor chips scarcely differing or not differing from one another at all with regard to their peak wavelength. Advantageously, a common phosphor layer can be disposed downstream of these similar optoelectronic semiconductor chips. On account of the similarity of the optoelectronic semiconductor chips and the common phosphor layer, the optoelectronic semiconductor chips emit during operation mixed light having similar or identical properties. Unlike otherwise customary production of optoelectronic semiconductor components, therefore, it is not necessary for an appropriate phosphor layer to be disposed downstream of each optoelectronic semiconductor chip such that a desired mixed radiation composed of the electromagnetic radiation emitted directly by the optoelectronic semiconductor chip and the electromagnetic radiation re-emitted by the phosphor layer is established.

The top side, facing away from the carrier, of the at least one semiconductor chip may be freed of the shaped body or it remains free of the shaped body. That is to say, the shaped body is either applied such that that the surface of the at least one semiconductor chip facing away from the carrier is not covered with the material of the shaped body. Alternatively, the shaped body can be removed again from the top side of the semiconductor chips after the shaped body has been applied. By way of example, the phosphor layer can then be applied to the surface free of the shaped body.

However, it is also possible for the semiconductor chips to be fixed onto the carrier by their emission side. Upon removal of the carrier, the surface facing the carrier, that is to say, the underside is exposed. In this variant of the method, at least one connection contact can be situated on the emission side of each of the semiconductor chips.

At least one plated-through hole with an electrically conductive material may be produced before or after the shaping-around process for each semiconductor chip. The plated-through hole is laterally spaced apart from the assigned semiconductor chip. That is to say, in a direction running, for example, parallel to the surface of the carrier assigned to the semiconductor chips, a plated-through hole is produced at a distance from the semiconductor chip. In this example, the plated-through hole completely penetrates through the shaped body and extends from a top side of the shaped body to an underside of the shaped body. After conclusion of the method, that is to say, after removal of the carrier, the plated-through hole is freely accessible at least at the underside of the shaped body. At the top side of the shaped body, the plated-through hole can be covered by the phosphor layer.

Before the shaped body is shaped around, the plated-through hole can be produced by contact pins, for example, arranged at the top side of the carrier between the semiconductor chips before the shaping-around process. In this example, the contact pins are formed from an electrically conductive material such as copper, for example. In this example, the contact pins can also be formed integrally with the carrier. That is to say, a substrate with plated-through holes present is used as the carrier. Furthermore, the carrier can also be a leadframe.

Alternatively, it is possible for the plated-through holes to be produced by the production of cutouts in the shaped body after the process of shaping around the semiconductor chip. By way of example, by laser drilling or other types of material removal, it is possible to produce holes in the shaped body that completely penetrate through the shaped body and extend from the top side thereof to the underside thereof. These holes are then filled with a conductive material. The conductive material can be, for example, a plating, a solder material or a conductive adhesive.

An electrically conductive connection may be produced between the plated-through hole and the assigned semiconductor chip. In this example, the electrically conductive connection electrically conductively connects to the surface facing away from the carrier at the top side of the semiconductor chip and extends along the top side of the shaped body. The electrically conductive connection electrically conductively contacts, for example, a bonding pad at the top side of the assigned semiconductor chip and extends as far as the plated-through hole. In this example, the connection extends at the top side of the shaped body either on the outer area of the shaped body or closely beneath the outer area of the shaped body. The electrically conductive connection can be produced by sputtering, photolithography, plating and/or etching-back. Furthermore, it is possible, for the purpose of producing the electrically conductive connection, for insulation material and metal to be applied by printing, to be applied as a metal paste by a sintering method (particularly if the shaped body is formed from a ceramic material), to be applied as conductive adhesive or the like. Thus, it is also possible, for example, for the electrically conductive connections to be applied by an injection-molding method. That is to say, the electrically conductive connections are then applied in the manner of a “molded interconnected device” (MID).

Production of plated-through holes and assigned electrically conductive connections is advantageous if the optoelectronic semiconductor chips have electrically conductive contact locations at their top side and underside facing away from the top side. Alternatively, the use of flip-chip semiconductor chips is possible, having electrical contact locations only at one side, either the underside or the top side. The through-plating through the shaped body can be obviated in this example.

We also provided an optoelectronic semiconductor component. The optoelectronic semiconductor component can preferably be produced by one of the methods described here. That is to say, all the features disclosed for the method are also disclosed for the optoelectronic semiconductor component, and vice versa.

The optoelectronic semiconductor component may comprise an optoelectronic semiconductor chip, the side areas of which are covered by a shaped body. In this example, the side areas are those areas running transversely with respect to the outer area of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip at its top side and its underside and connect the outer areas to one another. In this example, the side areas can be completely covered by the shaped body. Furthermore, it is also possible for the side areas to be covered by the shaped body only up to a specific height as shown, for example, in FIG. 11 that shows that the epitaxially produced layers 21 are free from the shaped body 3 since the epitaxially produced layers 21 protrude from the shaped body 3. By way of example, the optoelectronic semiconductor chip can be a semiconductor chip in which semiconductor layers are deposited epitaxially onto a substrate. It is then possible for the side areas of the semiconductor chip to be covered such that the epitaxially produced layers are free of the shaped body. The epitaxially produced layers can then be covered by a further material, for example, by a printing process, or remain free.

The optoelectronic semiconductor component may comprise at least one plated-through hole comprising an electrically conductive material. The electrically conductive material is, for example, a metal or an electrically conductive adhesive.

The component may comprise an electrically conductive connection electrically conductively connected to the semiconductor chip and the plated-through hole. The electrically conductive connection is formed, for example, with a metal or an electrically conductive adhesive.

The plated-through hole may be laterally spaced apart from the semiconductor chip. In this example, the lateral direction is that direction running transversely or perpendicularly with respect to the side areas of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip. That is to say, the plated-through hole is arranged laterally with respect to the semiconductor chip and runs, for example, parallel or substantially parallel to a side area of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip. In this example, the plated-through hole preferably completely penetrates through the shaped body and extends from a top side of the shaped body to an underside of the shaped body. In this example, it is possible for the plated-through hole to be freely accessible at the top side and the underside of the shaped body.

The electrically conductive connection may extend at the top side of the shaped body. That is to say, the electrically conductive connection connects the semiconductor chip to the plated-through hole and, in this example, runs between semiconductor body and plated-through hole at the top side of the shaped body. In this example, the electrically conductive connection can be arranged on an outer area of the shaped body.

The optoelectronic semiconductor component may comprise an optoelectronic semiconductor chip, the side areas of which are covered by a shaped body. Furthermore, the optoelectronic semiconductor component comprises at least one plated-through hole comprising an electrically conductive material and an electrically conductive connection electrically conductively connected to the semiconductor chip and the plated-through hole. In this example, the plated-through hole is laterally spaced apart from the semiconductor chip and penetrates through the shaped body completely. The plated-through hole extends from a top side of the shaped body to an underside of the shaped body and the electrically conductive connection extends at the top side of the shaped body from the semiconductor chip to the plated-through hole.

The shaped body may be optically reflective. This can be achieved, for example, by introducing particles that reflect electromagnetic radiation, in particular light, into a matrix material of the shaped body. Electromagnetic radiation that emerges at the side areas of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip can then be reflected by the shaped body. In this example, the shaped body does not cover the optoelectronic semiconductor chip at the top side thereof at least in places. The particles are formed, for example, with at least one material or contain at least one material selected from the group consisting of TiO₂, BaSO₄, ZnO and Al_(x)O_(y). It is particularly advantageous if the shaped body contains silicone or consists of silicone and the particles consist of titanium oxide.

Preferably, the particles are introduced into the shaped body in a concentration such that the latter appears white.

Furthermore, it is possible for the shaped body to be radiation-transmissive. This is particularly advantageous for optoelectronic semiconductor chips which emit a large proportion of their electromagnetic radiation through the side areas.

The semiconductor component may comprise a multiplicity of semiconductor chips electrically conductively connected to one another by electrically conductive connections extending at the top side of the shaped body. By way of example, the semiconductor chips can connect in series or in parallel by the electrically conductive connections. The semiconductor chips are in each example covered by the shaped body at their side areas. The shaped body constitutes a connection material to which the electrically conductive semiconductor chips connect to form the optoelectronic semiconductor component.

The method described here and also the optoelectronic semiconductor component described here are explained in greater detail below on the basis of examples and the associated figures.

Elements that are identical, of identical type or act identically are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures. The figures and the size relationships of the elements illustrated in the figures among one another should not be regarded as to scale, but rather, individual elements may be illustrated with an exaggerated size to enable better illustration and/or to afford a better understanding.

A first method step of producing an optoelectronic semiconductor component is explained in greater detail on the basis of the schematic sectional illustration in FIG. 1. In the method, a carrier 1 is first provided. The carrier 1 is, for example, a carrier formed with a metal such as copper or aluminum, with a ceramic, with a semiconductor material or with a plastic. A multiplicity of optoelectronic semiconductor chips 2 are arranged at the top side 1 a of the carrier 1, the chips being light emitting diode chips. The semiconductor chips 2 are fixed to the carrier 1 by a connection means 5. The connection means 5 is an adhesive, for example. In this example, the underside 2 b of the semiconductor chips 2 faces the top side 1 a of the carrier 1. A contact location 4 a provided for making electrical contact with the semiconductor chip 2 is situated at the underside 2 b of the semiconductor chips 2. By way of example, the contact location 4 a is a metalization at the underside 2 b of the semiconductor chip 2. A radiation exit area of the semiconductor chip 2 can comprise the side areas 2 c and the outer area at the top side 2 a.

In this example, it is possible for a contact location 4 a to be situated at the top side 2 a and a contact location 4 b to be situated at the underside 2 b. Furthermore, both contact locations 4 a, 4 b can be situated at the same side. Furthermore, it is possible for the underside 2 b or the top side 2 a to be the emission side of the semiconductor chip 2. That is to say, the radiation exit area of the semiconductor chip 2 can comprise the side areas 2 c and the outer area at the top side 2 a and/or the underside 2 b.

A further method step is explained in conjunction with FIG. 2. In this method step, a shaped body 3 is applied, for example, by injection molding a molding compound such that the side areas 2 c of the semiconductor chips 2 are covered by the shaped body and the shaped body connects the semiconductor chips 2 to one another. In this example, the underside 3 b of the shaped body is in direct contact with the carrier 1 or the connection means 5 at the top side 1 a of the carrier 1. The shaped body 3 can, at its top side 3 a, terminate flush with the surface at the top side 2 a of the semiconductor chip 2. Furthermore, it is possible for the shaped body 3, in contrast to the illustration in FIG. 2, to cover the side areas 2 c of the semiconductor chips 2 only up to a specific height and for the semiconductor chips 2 to project beyond the shaped body 3 at the top side 3 a thereof.

The shaped body 3 can be radiation-transmissive, for example, transparent, radiation-absorbent or reflective.

In the method step explained in conjunction with FIG. 3, the carrier 1 together with the connection means layer 5 optionally present is detached from the shaped body and the semiconductor chips 2. There remains a composite assembly composed of semiconductor chips 2 connected to one another by the shaped body 3. At the underside 2 b of the semiconductor chips 2, the contact location 4 a and also the radiation passage area, in an example of a “face-down” arrangement, is exposed.

In a further method step, illustrated schematically in FIGS. 4 and 5, the composite assembly of the semiconductor chips 2 can be singulated to form individual optoelectronic semiconductor components comprising one or more semiconductor chips 2. The singulation produces side areas 3 c of the shaped body which have traces of material removal. By way of example, the side areas 3 c can have sawing grooves 31 as shown in FIG. 11, for example, or grinding tracks which originate from the singulation of the shaped body 3. Each of the semiconductor chips 2 is covered by the shaped body 3 at least in places at its side areas 2 c.

A further method step is explained with reference to the schematic sectional illustration in FIG. 6, which step can be carried out before or after the molding compound is shaped around the semiconductor chips 2 and before or after the carrier is removed. This method step involves producing plated-through holes 6 made from an electrically conductive material which penetrate through the shaped body 3 from the top side 3 a thereof to the underside 3 b thereof. The plated-through holes 6 are laterally spaced apart from the semiconductor bodies 2. Each semiconductor body 2 is preferably assigned a plated-through hole. In this example, the assignment can also be one-to-one. Furthermore, it is possible for one plated-through hole 6 to be present for a plurality of semiconductor chips 2. After the plated-through hole 6 has been produced an electrically conductive connection 7 is formed at the top side 3 a on the surface of the shaped body 3, which electrically conductive connects a contact location 4 c of the semiconductor chip 2 to the plated-through hole 6. At the underside of the shaped body 3, the plated-through holes 6 are freely accessible and form there a contact location 4 b for the semiconductor component.

A further method step is explained with reference to FIG. 7 in a schematic sectional illustration, which step can take place after the shaped body has been applied. In this method step, a phosphor layer 8 at the top side of the shaped body 3 is applied to the semiconductor chips 2 at their top side 2 a. In this example, the phosphor layer 8 can be embodied continuously over all the semiconductor chips 2, as illustrated in FIG. 7. Furthermore, it is possible that a dedicated phosphor layer can be applied on each semiconductor chip 2. This can then also be effected before the molding compound is applied. The optoelectronic semiconductor chips in the example of FIG. 7 are preferably light emitting diode chips having a similar or identical emission characteristic, that is to say having a similar or identical peak wavelength as described further above. A uniform phosphor layer 8 is applied to the semiconductor chips 2. This results in optoelectronic semiconductor components having similar or identical emission characteristics. By way of example, the semiconductor components generate white light having a similar or identical color locus and/or having a similar or identical color temperature during operation.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show views of an optoelectronic semiconductor component described here in a schematic perspective illustration. FIG. 8 shows the semiconductor component from the top side 2 a of the semiconductor chip 2. The semiconductor component comprises precisely one semiconductor chip 2 completely surrounded by the molding compound 3 at its side areas 2 c. Plated-through holes 6 are led through the molding compound 3 and connected by electrically conductive connections 7 to contact locations 4 c at the top side 2 a of the semiconductor chip 2. At the underside of the semiconductor component, see FIG. 9, a contact location 4 a is formed so that the semiconductor chip 2 is contact-connected on the p-side, for example. The n-side contact-connection is then effected by the contact locations 4 b formed by the plated-through holes 6. The shaped body 3 is likewise arranged between the plated-through holes 6 and the semiconductor chip 2, the shaped body electrically insulating the plated-through holes 6 from the semiconductor chip 2.

As an alternative to the example shown, the semiconductor chip 2 can also be a semiconductor chip in which, for example, n- and p-side contacts are arranged jointly at the underside 2 b of the semiconductor chip. The plated-through holes 6 can be dispensed with in this example.

FIG. 10 shows, on the basis of a schematic plan view, a further example of a semiconductor component described here. In this example, the semiconductor component comprises four semiconductor chips 2 connected to one another by the shaped body 3. The semiconductor chips 2 electrically conductively connect to one another by electrically conductive connections 7 arranged at the top side 3 a of the shaped body 3 and run, for example, on the outer area of the shaped body. The semiconductor chips connect in series by the electrically conductive connections 7 and electrically contact-connected by contact locations 4 b formed by the plated-through holes 6 and also contact locations 4 a.

The method and semiconductor components described here are distinguished, inter alia, by the following advantages: heat can be dissipated from the semiconductor components over the whole area via the entire underside 2 of the semiconductor chips 2.

Flip-chip contact-connection of the semiconductor component is possible via the plated-through holes 6. That is to say, a bonding wire, which is mechanically susceptible, can be obviated. On account of the fact that a multiplicity of semiconductor chips 2 can be surrounded with the shaped body 3 simultaneously, a particularly cost-saving method is involved.

Presorting the optoelectronic semiconductor chips, for example, with regard to their peak wavelength enables a common phosphor layer 8 to be applied simultaneously to all the semiconductor chips, which are then distinguished by similar or identical emission characteristics.

Furthermore, a semiconductor component having an almost arbitrary number of semiconductor chips 2 can be produced in a flexible manner by the method. The area utilization of the semiconductor component is optimal.

Our methods and components are not restricted to the examples by the description on the basis of those examples. Rather, the disclosure encompasses any novel feature and also any combination of features, which, in particular, includes any combination of features in the appended claims, even if the feature or combination itself is not explicitly specified in the claims or examples. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. An optoelectronic semiconductor component comprising: an optoelectronic semiconductor chip having a top area at a top side, a bottom area at an underside, side areas connecting said top area and said bottom area, and epitaxial layers; electrical n-side and p-side contacts at the bottom area of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip; and an electrically insulating shaped body, wherein the electrically insulating shaped body surrounds the optoelectronic semiconductor chip at its side areas, and the epitaxial layers are free from the shaped body such that the epitaxial layers are not covered or are completely exposed.
 2. The optoelectronic semiconductor component according to claim 1, wherein the shaped body is free of any via penetrating the electrically insulating shaped body to electrically connect the optoelectronic semiconductor chip.
 3. The optoelectronic semiconductor component according to claim 1, wherein the n-side and p-side contacts of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip are freely accessible and the optoelectronic semiconductor component is electrically contactable via the n-side and p-side contacts of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip.
 4. The optoelectronic semiconductor component according to claim 1, wherein the electrically insulating shaped body is reflective for electromagnetic radiation produced during operation of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip.
 5. The optoelectronic semiconductor component according to claim 1, wherein the electrically insulating shaped body comprises side surfaces facing away from the side areas of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip, and the side surfaces comprise grooves.
 6. An optoelectronic semiconductor component comprising: at least two optoelectronic semiconductors chips each having side areas and epitaxial layers; and an electrically insulating shaped body, wherein the electrically insulating shaped body surrounds all side areas of the at least two optoelectronic semiconductor chips, and the at least two optoelectronic semiconductor chips are connected to one another by the shaped body such that the epitaxial layers are not covered or are completely exposed.
 7. An optoelectronic semiconductor component comprising: an optoelectronic semiconductor chip having a top area at a top side, a bottom area at an underside, side areas connecting said top area and said bottom area, and epitaxial layers; electrical n-side and p-side contacts at the bottom area of the optoelectronic semiconductor chip; an electrically insulating shaped body, and a phosphor layer comprising phosphor particles, wherein the phosphor layer contacts the electrically insulating shaped body and the optoelectronic semiconductor chip and the phosphor particles absorb electromagnetic radiation generated by the semiconductor chip during operation and re-emit electromagnetic radiation in a different wavelength range than the optoelectronic semiconductor chip, wherein the electrically insulating shaped body surrounds the optoelectronic semiconductor chip at its side areas, and the epitaxial layers are free from the shaped body such that the epitaxial layers are not covered or are completely exposed.
 8. The optoelectronic semiconductor component according to claim 7, wherein the phosphor layer is in direct contact with the optoelectronic semiconductor chip and the electrically insulating shaped body.
 9. The optoelectronic semiconductor component according to claim 7, wherein the phosphor layer comprises a matrix material into which phosphor particles are introduced.
 10. The optoelectronic semiconductor component according to claim 7, wherein the electrically insulating shaped body comprises a first matrix material into which particles that reflect electromagnetic radiation are introduced and the phosphor layer comprises a second matrix material into which phosphor particles are introduced, and the first and the second matrix material comprise a silicone. 